MLB The Show 22

The Road to the Show mode in MLB The Show 22 receives praise for its structured career progression and narrative elements that add depth to the gameplay experience. Critics like Atomix highlight the mode’s ability to create a sense of character development through friendships, rivalries, and team dynamics, while IGN Adria emphasizes its RPG-style format, which follows players from minor leagues to the majors—a system consistent with previous entries in the series. GameSpew and Eurogamer Italy note that the mode allows players to build their journey toward glory, incorporating social interactions and relationship-building elements that simulate a player’s personal growth. These positives suggest that the story mode successfully balances simulation with narrative engagement, offering a familiar yet compelling framework for career progression. However, several critics point out significant shortcomings in the storytelling and innovation of Road to the Show. Forbes criticizes the mode as lacking an engaging narrative, describing it as missing the "IT factor" and failing to deliver a compelling journey despite live-action interviews. Inverse echoes this sentiment, noting that while character development and mini-games add depth, the experience feels repetitive and unoriginal. MeuPlayStation argues that the Career and Franchise modes prioritize realism over storytelling, with minimal interactivity or narrative substance. Additionally, IGN France compares the mode unfavorably to NBA 2K’s storytelling, calling it functional but not a standout feature. These critiques highlight a recurring issue: while the mode provides structure, it struggles to innovate or create a truly immersive story. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward acknowledging Road to the Show as a solid, if unremarkable, career mode that prioritizes simulation over storytelling. While Atomix, IGN Adria, and Eurogamer Italy appreciate its structured progression and character-building elements, many others—such as Forbes, Inverse, and MeuPlayStation—argue that it lacks the narrative depth and innovation to stand out. The mode’s reliance on familiar mechanics and repetitive gameplay undermines its potential, leaving it as a functional but not exceptional experience. Despite these criticisms, the enduring appeal of the career mode ensures it remains a core attraction for fans, even if it falls short of delivering a truly groundbreaking story.

The gameplay of MLB The Show 22 receives widespread praise for its polished mechanics, variety of modes, and accessibility. Critics highlight the game’s refined controls, such as customizable difficulty settings (e.g., "Amateur" and "Minors" modes from Dexerto) and improved fielding animations (Everyeye.it), which cater to both newcomers and veterans. The inclusion of cooperative online modes like 2v2/3v3 (GamersRD, Shacknews) and the "Pinpoint Pitching" system (Everyeye.it) adds depth, while modes like Road to the Show and March to October offer structured progression (Atomix, Game Rant). TheGamer and MeuPlayStation commend the accurate recreation of baseball mechanics, with dynamic difficulty adjustments and adaptive AI enhancing replayability. Additionally, features like the PCI Anchor system (MeuPlayStation) and expanded contract terms (GamingBolt) demonstrate a focus on realism and player agency. However, several critics note that MLB The Show 22 feels more like an iterative update than a revolutionary leap. GameSpot and IGN Adria emphasize that core mechanics remain largely unchanged from previous entries, with incremental improvements to fielding and ball physics rather than groundbreaking changes. Issues like overpowered opposite-field hits (Forbes), frustrating baserunning controls (Impulsegamer), and glitches in Franchise Mode (GameSpot) detract from the experience. Some modes, such as Road to the Show, are criticized for incomplete systems (Jeuxvideo.com), while microtransactions in Diamond Dynasty slow progression (Hey Poor Player). Additionally, input lag on Xbox One (Everyeye.it) and unclear stats for newcomers (Movies Games and Tech) highlight technical inconsistencies across platforms. Overall, the consensus among critics is that MLB The Show 22 is a strong, polished entry in the series with refined gameplay that prioritizes accessibility and variety. While many praise its attention to detail—such as the "dynamic sensitivity" for batters (GamingBolt) and hybrid classic/modern gameplay styles (Eurogamer Italy)—the lack of significant innovation remains a recurring critique. The game’s ability to balance depth for hardcore fans with simplicity for casual players (Comicbook.com, NintendoWorldReport) ensures its continued relevance, but the emphasis on incremental updates over bold changes leaves some critics wanting more. Despite these shortcomings, the majority agree that MLB The Show 22 delivers a satisfying and immersive baseball experience.

The graphics and visual design of MLB The Show 22 received widespread praise for their attention to detail, immersive atmosphere, and technical enhancements on next-gen consoles. Critics like Atomix highlighted improved character models, 4K resolution support, and refined haptic feedback via the PS5’s DualSense controller, while Dexerto celebrated "crisp gameplay and beautiful graphics," emphasizing detailed stadium recreations and accurate player animations. GamersRD noted dynamic lighting, weather effects, and camera angles that elevated realism, and IGN Adria praised cinematic-quality visuals, including realistic player models and time-of-day changes. Multiplayer.it and Movies Games and Tech lauded near-photorealistic stadiums and lifelike environments, with the latter calling the visual scale "breathtaking." These reviews underscore a strong commitment to capturing baseball’s traditional aesthetics while leveraging next-gen hardware for sharper textures and smoother performance. However, several critics pointed out notable shortcomings that tempered the overall enthusiasm. Comicbook.com argued the game felt "held back by last-gen hardware," failing to fully capitalize on PS5/Xbox Series X capabilities, while GamesRadar+ criticized outdated stadium textures and fan models despite the jump to next-gen. Hardcore Gamer lamented dated visuals, including "ancient assets" in camera cuts and unrealistic hair/beard animations, and TheGamer found the graphics overly "clean" with a plastic-like appearance and subpar grass textures. Shacknews noted frame rate issues and choppy camera cuts on next-gen platforms, while Impulsegamer highlighted static dirt effects and a lack of environmental wear. These critiques suggest that while technical improvements were present, they didn’t fully address lingering flaws in character modeling, animation fluidity, or environmental detail. Overall, the consensus leans toward cautious optimism, with most critics acknowledging MLB The Show 22 as a visually strong entry in the series but one that falls short of revolutionary advancements. Forbes and Everyeye.it praised incremental improvements like stadium customization and dynamic lighting, yet stressed persistent issues with facial likenesses and animations. Meanwhile, Hobby Consolas and PSX Brasil noted the game’s "continuist" approach, lacking the bold leaps seen in other sports titles. While next-gen versions (PS5/Xbox Series X) delivered sharper visuals and 4K fidelity—as highlighted by IGN Adria and Multiplayer.it—the Switch version faced significant compromises, as noted by Shacknews and NintendoWorldReport. Ultimately, the game’s visual design is seen as a solid but uneven evolution, balancing technical polish with unresolved flaws that prevent it from fully embracing the potential of current-generation hardware.

The sound design and music of MLB The Show 22 received widespread praise for its immersive and technically advanced auditory elements. Critics like Atomix highlighted the game’s "immersive ambient sounds," "3D audio support," and realistic crowd reactions, which significantly enhance gameplay immersion. GamersRD commended the "excellent sound design," noting the "realistic bat-ball contact sounds" and DualSense vibration feedback that deepen player engagement. Impulsegamer praised improvements in spatial audio and adaptive crowd noise, while IGN France celebrated the over 45,000 lines of dialogue and "immersive atmosphere" bolstered by stadium sounds and music. Additionally, Video Chums and XboxAddict highlighted the cohesive audio experience, with licensed music and authentic sound effects like the "crack of the bat" contributing to a lifelike baseball environment. These elements collectively create a rich auditory landscape that appeals to both casual and hardcore fans. However, several critics pointed out notable flaws, particularly in the commentary system. Game Rant and GameSpot noted that while the new commentator team (Joe Sciambi and Chris Singleton) brought freshness, their scripts were criticized for being "limited," "repetitive," and riddled with errors. Inverse specifically called out the "monotonous" and mismatched lines from the announcers, which detracted from the experience. SpazioGames and Impulsegamer echoed these concerns, citing reduced recorded dialogue leading to repetition, despite improvements in spatial audio. While some reviewers like PSX Brasil acknowledged 3D audio advancements, they noted a lack of "original musical elements," and GamingBolt described the audio as merely "average." These criticisms suggest that while technical aspects were strong, the commentary’s shortcomings overshadowed other achievements. Overall, the consensus among critics leans positive, with most acknowledging the game’s immersive sound design and technological advancements. The majority of reviews highlighted the realistic auditory details, such as crowd reactions, 3D audio, and improved physics, which elevate the authenticity of the baseball experience. However, the repetitive commentary and limited musical variety emerged as recurring criticisms, particularly from Inverse, SpazioGames, and Game Rant. While some reviewers felt the music was "slightly shorter than previous years" (GamersRD) or lacked originality (PSX Brasil), these issues were often overshadowed by the game’s broader auditory strengths. The mixed reception underscores that MLB The Show 22 delivers a technically impressive soundscape, but its commentary and musical elements require refinement to fully realize its potential.

The voice acting in MLB The Show 22 received mixed but generally positive initial reactions from critics, with several praising the new commentary team’s energy and authenticity. Comicbook.com highlighted Jon "Boog" Sciambi’s performance as a standout, noting his convincing delivery despite some bias toward his voice, while Dexerto appreciated the addition of characters like Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and Ken Griffey Jr., which added personality to the broadcast. Everyeye.it praised the precision and emotional depth of Sciambi and Chris Singleton’s play-by-play, and GamesRadar+ acknowledged Sciambi’s “convincing” performance despite his relative inexperience. Hardcore Gamer commended the duo for bringing "excitement" and better chemistry compared to previous commentators like Matt Vasgersian, while IGN France noted improved coherence between names and credibility through real-game sound bites. These reviews suggest that the new voices were seen as a fresh, if uneven, addition to the series. However, several critics raised significant concerns about repetition, lack of depth, and technical shortcomings. Forbes criticized the new team for "lacking personality" and "poor integration of legends," preferring the previous commentators’ variety and updated content. GameSpot and Gaming Age both pointed to repetitive lines and factual inaccuracies, with the latter noting Sciambi’s "excitable style" was undermined by early repetition due to limited recorded dialogue. Shacknews and PlayStation LifeStyle echoed these issues, calling out a decline in commentary quality and "frequent reuse of sound bites." PSX Brasil and Multiplayer.it also highlighted repetitive clichés and a "limited range of phrases," while SpazioGames lamented the reduction in voice lines, leading to an "immersive" audio experience. These critiques underscored a widespread frustration with the new team’s inability to match the depth and variety of their predecessors. Overall, critics were divided but leaned toward acknowledging the new voices’ potential while criticizing their execution. While some, like Comicbook.com and GamesRadar+, saw Sciambi as a promising addition, others, including Forbes and Shacknews, felt the commentary lacked the nuance and innovation of past iterations. The consensus was that the voice acting represented a step forward in terms of technical quality and authenticity but fell short in sustaining engagement due to repetition and limited variety. Despite these flaws, many reviewers recognized the effort behind the new team’s performance, suggesting that while MLB The Show 22’s voice acting had room for improvement, it was not entirely devoid of merit.

The technical performance of MLB The Show 22 across platforms shows a mix of strengths, with notable positives for each system. On PS5, reviewers like Atomix praised its smooth gameplay, stable frame rates, optimized performance, and refined DualSense haptic feedback. GamersRD highlighted fast load times thanks to the PS5’s SSD, while Xbox Series X critics such as XboxAddict noted seamless 60FPS gameplay and 4K resolution. The Nintendo Switch version, though criticized for minor online issues, was described as running well technically by NintendoWorldReport, with offline play being smoother. PS4 received praise for cross-platform support and stable servers, per Eurogamer Italy, while Xbox Series X also saw mentions of cloud gaming compatibility from Jeuxvideo.com. Overall, next-gen consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X demonstrated strong hardware utilization, with some platform-specific improvements like PS5’s Game Cards and faster load times. However, technical shortcomings were evident across all platforms. On PS5, issues included frame rate drops during pitcher/batter views (Shacknews), input lag in co-op modes (Hobby Consolas), and persistent bugs like the “magnet glove” glitch (Game Rant). Xbox Series X faced control problems in Road to the Show (e.g., getting stuck between bases) (Hey Poor Player) and visual glitches (SECTOR.sk). The Nintendo Switch version struggled with framerate issues, graphical downgrades, and cross-platform save imperfections (New York Daily News, Shacknews), while PS4 saw performance inconsistencies across platforms. PlayStation Universe and GameSpot noted fielding glitches and unstable modes like Road to the Show, and Forbes highlighted repetitive commentary and gameplay balance issues. These problems, though varied in severity, collectively suggest that technical polish remains a work in progress. The overall consensus among critics is that MLB The Show 22 delivers solid core performance but faces persistent technical challenges across platforms. While next-gen systems like PS5 and Xbox Series X benefit from hardware advancements, issues such as online instability (Dexerto, GamesRadar+), bugs in gameplay mechanics (Game Rant, PlayStation Universe), and cross-platform inconsistencies (New York Daily News) detract from the experience. The Nintendo Switch version, despite its technical limitations, remains playable, while PS4’s crossplay support is praised for its stability. Critics agree that while the game’s foundation is strong, ongoing patches and optimizations are needed to address lingering flaws. Despite these issues, most reviewers acknowledge that MLB The Show 22 remains a polished baseball experience, with technical performance improving over time as developers refine the title.

The majority of reviewers highlight MLB The Show 22’s strong replay value through its diverse array of modes and systems. Critics like Atomix and Forbes emphasize the game’s multiple modes—such as Diamond Dynasty, March to October, and Road to the Show—which cater to both casual and hardcore fans, offering progression systems, co-op play, and collectible card mechanics that sustain engagement. Game Rant and GamersRD praise the inclusion of daily/weekly challenges, team-building customization, and the ability to manage up to 10 characters, while IGN Adria notes the appeal of fantasy team creation and stadium editors. Hobby Consolas and GamingBolt also commend the game’s variety, with features like Mini Seasons and stadium customization adding depth for long-term play. These elements collectively create a robust foundation for replayability, especially for baseball enthusiasts seeking extensive content. However, several critics point to limitations that could dampen long-term appeal. GameSpot and Inverse criticize the lack of meaningful innovation in core modes like Road to the Show and Franchise, which feel stagnant compared to previous entries. Impulsegamer and Hey Poor Player note that while there are multiple modes, they often rely on familiar mechanics without fresh ideas, leading to repetition. Jeuxvideo.com (PS4) and Eurogamer Italy mention issues like microtransactions in Diamond Dynasty and underdeveloped co-op features, which may frustrate some players. Additionally, Gaming Age and MeuPlayStation highlight that the game’s niche appeal and complex systems might not resonate with newcomers or casual players, limiting its broader replayability. These critiques suggest that while the game is content-rich, it risks feeling derivative to those seeking significant evolution. Overall, the consensus leans positive but acknowledges trade-offs. Most critics agree that MLB The Show 22 delivers substantial replay value through its breadth of modes and systems, as noted by PlayStation Universe and SECTOR.sk, who emphasize its depth for baseball fans. However, the lack of major innovations—cited by GameSpot and Inverse—and issues like repetition or microtransactions create a mixed reception. While XboxAddict and Movies Games and Tech praise the addictive nature of card collecting and cross-play features, others like Gaming Age remain skeptical about its long-term appeal. Ultimately, the game is seen as a solid, content-heavy experience for dedicated fans but one that may struggle to retain players without more substantial updates or fresh mechanics.